How To Add New Skin Care Products To Your Skin Care Routine

When you purchase new skin care products, it can be tempting to go all in. You know, immediately slathering your face with the recently-acquired moisturizer or facial serum every day. But, as you might be able to guess, this isn’t the best way to go about introducing a new skin product to your skin care routine. After all, your skin could respond negatively. For things to go smoothly, there are certain steps you should take when adding anything new to your skin care routine. Read on to find out exactly how to incorporate new skin care products into your daily regimen.

1. PATCH TEST NEW SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

You can do your best to pick out skin care products that will play nicely with your skin, looking at the ingredient lists and reading up on product reviews, but it can be hard to say for sure whether or not a skin care product could have an unexpected effect on your skin. Of course, that shouldn’t stop you from trying new skin care products. Rather, it should change how you try them. Instead of rushing home with your new goodies and applying them directly to your face, it’s best to patch test. Apply a small amount of the skin care product in question to the skin behind your ear, and repeat for several days to see how your skin responds. If it doesn’t, you’re in the clear to apply it all over your face.

2. TRY ONE SKIN CARE PRODUCT AT A TIME

After a skin care shopping spree (the best kind), you’re likely dying to start using all your new skin care products right off the bat. However, that could be bad news for your skin. The reason being, if you try multiple skin care products for the first time all at once and your skin responds negatively, you won’t be able to pinpoint the culprit. That’s why it’s always better to gradually incorporate new skin care products into your skin care routine. So, try adding in a new cleanser, like our L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser, before swapping out your entire regimen. Once you’re confident your skin can handle one product, you can slowly add another into the mix.

3. GIVE IT TIME TO SEE RESULTS

Don’t expect skin care products to provide instant results. While you may immediately see minor changes, like a temporary glow or a boost of hydration, you can’t expect your complexion to be perfected in a matter of days. Those things take time! Most skin care products take continued use to see results. Give the skin care product a few weeks (or even months) to work before calling it quits and looking for something else.

4. STOP IF YOUR SKIN HAS A NEGATIVE RESPONSE

If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of experiencing a negative response to a new skin care product, don’t try to persevere. Stop using the skin care product and take it easy on your skin for a little while.

5. MAKE SURE YOUR SKIN CARE PRODUCTS ARE COMPATIBLE

It’s possible that two skin care products could be miracle workers on their own, but when used together, the same can’t be said. Sometimes, skin care products just aren’t compatible with one another. For example, using AHAs, BHAs, and retinol all in the same skin care routine is generally considered overkill. You’ll be better off picking one of the aforementioned ingredients to take center stage in your skin care routine, instead of using all three. Speaking of, consider adding our L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Derm Intensives Night Serum, 0.3% Pure Retinol to your regimen.

6. CONSIDER CUTTING OUT EXCESSIVE STEPS

As you add more skin care products to your skin care routine, you may need to consider removing some of the older products in your routine. If you already have an exfoliator in your skin care routine, but want to try a new face scrub—like the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub—it may be time to say goodbye to your previous exfoliating option.

7. DON’T MIX THINGS UP BEFORE SPECIAL OCCASIONS

The best time to add new skin care products to your routine is when you don’t have a ton going on. It may be tempting to revamp your skin care routine before a special occasion, like your wedding day, but it actually isn’t such a great idea. If you are in the market to make a few changes in advance of a big day, make sure you’re far enough out to combat the effects of a potentially negative response.

Next up: If you’re wondering what you could possibly add to an already-packed routine, here are 7 Underrated Skin Care Products You Should Add To Your Skin Care Routine.